Represents the approximate number of stores which were or are co-located with one of plaintiffs' stores, violating the restrictive covenants binding on the occupants of the shopping centers.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dg_LossContingencyApproximateNumberOfStores
Namespace Prefix:	dg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of stores for which claims for injunctive relief were denied.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dg_LossContingencyNumberOfStoresDenied
Namespace Prefix:	dg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of stores for which claims for injunctive relief were not dismissed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dg_LossContingencyNumberOfStoresNotDismissed
Namespace Prefix:	dg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Commitments and contingencies (Details) (Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC, Pending litigation, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Apr. 17, 2015 store	Mar. 05, 2014 store	Aug. 10, 2012 store	May 27, 2011 store
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC \| Pending litigation
Legal proceedings
Approximate number of stores co-located with one of the plaintiffs' stores				55
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs				$ 47
Number of stores for which the court did not dismiss the claims for injunctive relief		13	4
Number of stores for which the court denied the claims for injunctive relief	1